Income Tax Classes and Workshops

I love to share what I know , and I do it often. I have been teaching for 15 years. Besides, I have won multiple awards in public speaking, including 2003 Southeast Texas Champion of Public Speaking and The Biggest Liar. The latter, of course, comes from my extensive IRS audit experience.

All this is to say that very few of my students fall , even though we discuss such fascinating topics as bookkeeping and income tax! Read student testimonials or, better yet, come and see for yourself!

I conduct some regular classes, as well as one-of-a-kind presentations. Below, you will find Spring 2010 schedule, updated regularly. However, the most reliable way to be reminded is to sign up for my free newsletter

Tue Feb 09 - Bookkeeping for Real Estate Investors
Sat Feb 13 - Income Tax for Real Estate Investors
Tue Feb 16 - IRS crash course for Real Estate Investors
Wed Mar 03 - Income tax Q & A RICH club focus group
Mon Mar 22 - Surviving April 15 without good records

Testimonials from local investors who attended my classes

I just made money by attending this seminar!

Scott Harpring

You're right - taxes can be funny! I enjoyed your sense of humor and how you clearly broke down complicated subjects.

Kristin Walter

Covered taxes for landlords from head to toe (and then some). A must for anyone investing in real estate.

Kevin Miller

I have learned so much in this hour. I can just imagine the money that I would have saved if I had met you earlier.

Amanda Trevino

Extremely useful information. After this class I feel prepared to begin this venture if I choose to.

Lisa Velasco

Michael has found a way to make learning and understanding taxes a breeze.

Tommy Moreado

The class was excellent. There were so many incorrect assumptions that I had. Now they have been cleared.

Latressa Cooper

Bookkeeping for Real Estate Investors

Next class: Tue night - Feb 9, 2010. 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Do you want to know what is the single most effective way to save on taxes? The answer is: keep good records. I am not kidding. Investors like you are losing THOUSANDS every year - just because they ignore bookkeeping. Actually, they have a very good excuse: bookkeeping is a huge pain. I agree. But it does not have to be - if you do it my way. In fact, good bookkeeping does not require a degree in accounting or fancy software such as QuickBooks. All you need is common sense and a little knowledge. You will need to provide the common sense part, and this class will provide the rest.

This class is presented by Leisure Learning Unlimited 2-3 times a year. The address is 2990 Richmond, between Buffalo Speedway and Kirby Drive, inside the Loop. Cost is $52. You can register 24 hours a day online at the Leisure Learning web site. You can also register the traditional way - in person or by phone: 713-529-4414. When registering, please mention class number which is 9648.

Topics covered:

What records are required by the IRS?
5-step "minimal effort" bookkeeping system
What if I did not keep any records?
Single-entry vs. double-entry accounting
Computer software: pros and cons
Specific bookkeeping issues in RE business
and more

By the end of the class, you will know how to get the job done with minimum effort and maximum results.

To get an idea of what I'm going to preach, please read The Ten Commandments of Great Bookkeeping article on this site. Also, please consider purchasing the organizers and books that can save you a lot of time and money.

Income Tax for Real Estate Investors

Next class: Sat afternoon - Feb 13, 2010. 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Houston, we have a problem: the IRS does not recognize "real estate investing" as a business. Why? Because the tax law sees real estate investing as either-or: either you own and lease rental properties ("landlords") - or you buy/build/restore properties for resale ("resellers" - which includes flippers, rehabbers, wholesalers, builders, dealers, etc.) Very different rules apply to these two forms of investing: one for landlords, and another one for resellers.

We will talk about the difference between landlords and resellers. We will discuss what to do when you do a little bit of both - which is very common among investors. We will look at actual tax returns to see how it works. We will make taxes easier to understand.

Topics covered:

IRS definition of a "business"
Can we call RE investing a business?
Two types of RE businesses
What income is taxable
What expenses are deductible
The self-employment tax
and more

Previous tax knowledge is not necessary, but attending my Bookkeeping class will be helpful.

IRS Crash Course for Real Estate Investors

Next class: Tue evening - Feb 16, 2010. 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Another good title for this popular class would be "Everything investors want to ask their CPAs". Essentially, this class combines the most important sections from my trademark Bookkeeping for RE investors and Taxes for RE investors classes, presenting them in a fast-paced format. There're not as much details we will dive into, but the idea is to cover a lot of territory in one session.

This class is presented by Road 2 Success 2-3 times a year. The address is 6200 Gulf Freeway, between Wayside and Griggs, inside the Loop. Cost is $50. You can learn about Road2Success investment club at the R2S website, but registration is by phone: 713-477-5950.

You won't believe how much this unique 3-hour class will include:

How to minimize IRS taxes for RE investors
How to keep great records, the easy way
What to do if the IRS is giving you hard time
How to structure and run your business
and much more

No boring and confusing rules, no beating around the bushes, no bull. Only down-to-earth practical knowledge that will save you time and money. Customized for Real Estate Investors like you!

Taxes and Asset Protection Focus Group

Next meeting: Wed evening - Mar 3, 2010. 7:00 - 8:40 pm

This is a monthly focus group meeting of the Realty Investment Club of Houston, better known as "The RICH Club". The RICH club, among its many activities, includes "Taxes and Asset Protection" focus group that meets on first Wednesdays of each month at the Spring Branch Community Center. The address is 1721 Pech Road, between Bingle and Wirt, off of Long Point, I-10 West. The meetings are Free, but current membership in the RICH Club is required.

You can instantly join RICH club online. In fact, this will save you $25 registration fee. Please mention me as a referral when you join!

As the focus group name implies, we address a wide variety of topics related to taxes and asset protection. Topics and speakers vary every month. However, as a rule, odd months (Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sept, Nov) are devoted to tax topics, and even months (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec) address legal issues such as asset protection.

On March 3rd, I will lead a general Q & A session on IRS topics. After all, it is the peak of the IRS season.

Surviving April 15 IRS deadline without good records

Date: Mon evening - Mar 22, 2010. 7:00 - 9:00 pm

April 15 is almost here, and you are so not ready! If it sounds familiar - then you can't miss this eye-opening and entertaining workshop. Learn how to stay out of the IRS trouble, even if your records are a complete mess.

This one-time presentation is part of the Monday Night Workshops hosted by the Realty Investment Club of Houston, better known as "The RICH Club". The address is 6611 Portwest Drive, Suite 100, off of I-10, just inside the Loop. The workshops are Free, but current membership in the RICH Club is required.